Unconditional Advocacy

I applaud your bravery and commend your honesty. I have always tried to speak up for those unable to do so for themselves – it is necessary, but not easy and one becomes the target of a lot of mud and arrows. Now in my eighties, I am less vociferous, but I still use my pen to useful effect if and when necessary.

It’s the day before the end of week 5 of this contractand a nearly 12 day stretch. This hospital has revealed more disturbing things to me in this last stretch than I’ve seen in years.

I hate conflict. A lot. I’ve learned many things over the span of my 33 years of nursing. I’ve learned to choose my battles wisely. I’ve learned to discern the difference between being upset because people are rude from being upset because people are just plain unsafe. I don’t run willy nilly to managers with every complaint under the sun because every complaint under the sun isn’t necessarily helpful.

So when I went to the managers this week, I went with a heavy heart, holding my breath at how they might receive what I had to say. But I had to! I am an advocate for the patients I meet. If I don’t stand…